This will introduce to you Lieutenant Commander Daniel Bacon, USNRF., who has been assigned to duty as representative of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service in France.

Mr. Bacon has had wide experience in the mercantile world and is especially qualified for the duty to which he has been ordered. Besides having the above qualifications Mr. Bacon talks the language and is a rattling good chap. Will you not be kind enough to further his efforts in any way that you can, as we on this side are most vitally interested in the success of the work he is about to undertake. Its importance is perhaps more far-reaching than you may believe, but let me assure you that from the Admiral1 down in Operations every one here realizes the importance, and looks to you all to render every assistance to make this branch office of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service a success.

With best wishes to you, believe me,

Yours most sincerely,

Charles R. Belknap

Source Note: LTS, DLC-MSS, William Sims Papers, Box 48. Below the close, the letter is addressed, “Vice Admiral W. S. Sims, U.S.N.,/ Commander, U. S. Naval Forces/in European Waters,/c/o American Embassy,/London,/England. Bacon traveled to France to serve as a member of the newly-formed Chartering Committee, a part of the Division of Operations under the aegis of the United States Shipping Board. The Committee’s primary duty was to “force or influence neutral tonnage to enter trades which were rather neglected but upon which we [the United States] depended for essentials.” Hurley, Bridge to France, 96-100.